Jan Irving's Blog, page 4

Jessica Freely's Peppy Burgers and Dharma Cafe

I met Jessica Freely a while back when she read The Janitor. She is doing a rather innovative blog tour centered around the food and characters in her new book Dharma Cafe. Enjoy the excerpt, the, er, recipe and comment with your own recipe or favorite food for a chance to win a copy of her book.

Hello, I am Chef Akio, the owner and operator of Peppy's Burgers.

I know you were expecting that silly old crone, Agatha. She's been doing all these guest appearances for that presumptuous author, Jessica Freely.

Author. Ha! She couldn't even get my story right. There's a blurb and an excerpt for her little book below, and if you leave a comment to this post with your favorite food or recipe, you'll have a chance to win a free copy of Dharma Café, but don't believe a word you read in it. It's all lies, I tell you.

LIES!

(Ahem.)

Anyway, I thought, why should Agatha get all the attention? Just yesterday she was on Tara Lain's blog, talking some nonsense about bread dough and the secrets of the universe. Well, I can share a recipe too. Here you go. It's my specialty. Enjoy.

The Peppy Burger
serves: unwitting masses

1 ton of ground meat (it doesn't matter what kind)
2 tablespoon each fear, greed, and self-loathing
1 drop of the emptiness where your soul once was
50 gallons Worcestershire sauce

Mix and form into patties. Fry and serve on buns with pickles, ketchup and mustard. Serve to unwitting masses. Bask in the glory of your vengeance.

Blurb for Dharma Café:

Welcome to the Dharma Café, a restaurant like no other. There is no menu. The waiter, Samura, uses mystical powers to read what each customer needs, and the cook, Agatha, prepares the food with ingredients like love, hope, and courage.

The café is a refuge for the new busboy, Charlie, who was kicked out of home on his eighteenth birthday. Irresistibly drawn to Samura, Charlie soon discovers that the stern, formal waiter harbors a heartbreaking past and a dangerous secret.

Samura lives in fear that one day, the darkness inside him will burst forth to destroy all he loves. Now that includes brash, infuriating, delectable Charlie, who has broken through all Samura's defenses and taught him to trust himself.

Just when Samura thinks it might be safe to reveal the truth, his worst nightmare walks back into his life: His father, Akio, the evil food sorcerer who runs the burger stand on the other side of town. Akio's business is expanding and he wants his son to manage his new location, where the Dharma Café now stands.

It will take the combined resources of an ancient cook, a novice dishwasher, and a cursed waiter to fight Akio and protect the café. But when Samura succumbs to Akio's magic, will it be enough?



Buy Links:
Dharma Cafe .
Jessica Freely's website .

Samura rested against something warm and solid. It smelled good too. He snuggled closer and rubbed his face against the… What was it? A body. A man's body. He breathed deep, inhaling the warm aroma of sleeping male. Mmmm. This was a much better dream than the one that came before.

The french-fry dream.

He hadn't had one of those in years. Was that because he was so much better now or because he'd simply learned to ignore it?

The thought made him open his eyes, whereupon warm-solid-smells-good did not evaporate the way dreams should. That forced Samura into full wakefulness, and he found himself lying with his face and half his chest pressed against an actual, living, breathing body. He'd flung his right arm and leg across the lucky individual as well. How awkward.

Samura lifted his head to see Charlie, lips slightly parted, snoring softly. Even more awkward. What if Charlie woke up and found Samura wrapped around him like bacon on a water chestnut?

Oh, but look at him. For the space of a heartbeat, Samura permitted himself to drink in the sight of Charlie fast asleep. His long blond eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks. The gentle upturn of his nose somehow echoed the curve of his upper lip. His generally messy hair was more tousled than ever, spilling over his forehead like waves on a beach, unruly and, if Samura were honest with himself, delightful.

But no good could come of entertaining such thoughts. When the second beat of his heart thumped against his breastbone, Samura pushed himself up and slipped out of bed, carefully.

For the first time, he realized he was still dressed in his uniform. And Charlie wore his street clothes. Why? And why had they shared the same bed last night? Samura's bed. Charlie's stood empty and unslept in on the other side of the room.

Panic reached up from the bottom of his stomach and scratched at his heart with tiny, icy claws. He pushed it back down and paced the room. There was a perfectly reasonable explanation.

Charlie had crept into bed with him last night.

A reasonable explanation.

His dream. Maybe he'd yelled. Screamed, more likely. He used to wake Chef Agatha up all the time that way. And she would stay by his bed until he fell asleep again. Maybe… Had Charlie comforted him after his nightmare?

Good gravy. He hoped not. He couldn't think of anything more humiliating than brash, ignorant Charlie soothing his terror-stricken screams, wiping away his tears, kissing… Stop it.

What was wrong with him? First, a french-fry dream and now these pathetically self-indulgent thoughts. One thing at a time. The dream first.

Review of Straight Cowboy

I had a nice review of Straight Cowboy from Mrs. C at Black Raven Reviews: Straight Cowboy is a character-driven story with a solid plot and a wistful close encounter with wild horses. Ms. Irving has penned a sweet love story in a true-life setting that few people get to see. I enjoyed Straight Cowboy very much. See the full review here .

Top reviews for His Landlady and The Wizard's Boy

It was weird how the review fairy dropped three top reviews on me yesterday. I'm sharing!

Very well written, very beautiful on so many levels, His Landlady is so worth the read--Miz Love Books. See full review here: His Landlady a top pick.

For those who crave sensual, sensitive, gentleman dominants, Sloan's for you! His care for her when she first experienced subspace was heartwarming, and a bit heart melting as well. Like gently pulling petals from a delicate rose, Sloan peels away Diana's defenses. Utterly entrancing--Bella at Fallen Angel Reviews. See full review here: Review of His Landlady and Subspace Collection .
 
And The Wizard's Boy received five stars at Fallen Angel Reviews. Sand is still looking for the perfect dominant. He's aware of Daniel's feelings for him and when Daniel stands up to him, Sand gets clear vision about how it would be if he belonged to Daniel. Daniel is determined to get his man, but is Sand ready to submit and become a wizard's boy? The growing feelings between Daniel and Sand were beautiful to experience. The many paranormal aspects of this story were woven into a contemporary setting, creating an intriguing story that I enjoyed reading. Review of The Wizard's Boy.

Jan

News

His Landlady is available for preorder here .

Diana Moore is edgy around new tenant Sloan Kent, owner of a kick boxing school. From the moment she glimpses a martial arts poster of the lean, beautiful man, she wants him, but she can't see a focused warrior athlete and an earth mother like her having much in common.

But Sloan's calm Zen facade lulls Diana so that she submits to him the first time they are alone together. Diana has never had such intense pleasure, but he's too young to be her master, isn't he?

It's a good time to buy books from the TEB site since everything is on sale until New Year's.

And A Plain Ordinary Cowboy was reviewed by Chocolate Minx at Literary Nymphs who has so far read all the books in the series. Jan Irving's A Plain, Ordinary Cowboy adds another piece to the ongoing mystery of who is trying to kill the shifters. I enjoyed the build up of drama along with the showcasing of characters from the previous stories. See the full review here .

I hope my readers and friends are having a good holiday season.

What went into writing A Plain, Ordinary Cowboy

I talked about what went into writing A Plain, Ordinary Cowboy at Jadette Paige's blog recently, including two scenes that were significant (without spoilers). Check it out if you like here .

A Plain, Ordinary Cowboy is out!

I really loved Micah and Sasha's book. I think it's one of my two favorites in the series so far.



Book five in the Uncommon Cowboys Series

Since he was hunted because he is different, Deputy Micah Danvers has lived a plain, ordinary, boring life until he rescues mysterious Sasha at a country fair--only problem is, the sexy minx who has shifter Micah tied up in knots isn't a woman, but all man.

He was hunted because he is different. Now Deputy Micah Danvers is 'normal' at all costs. He left behind the wounded boy he used to be and he's dating a nice woman. He's got a good job and a ramshackle cabin to fix up.

But when plain ordinary cowboy Micah rescues exotic Sasha from bullies at a local fair, it turns out Sash isn't a woman like he thought. Unconventional Sash is not afraid to stand out--he thrives on it from his nights of dancing around a fire in the nude to the rare breed sheep he's trying to rescue from extinction. Shifter Micah aches for Sash, but he'll have to leave the shadows to claim a man who is unafraid of tempting the wolf.

"What's that little bitch doin' here?"

Deputy Micah Danvers' enhanced senses caught the menacing whisper through the friendly chatter in White Deer's June town hall craft fair. He zeroed in on two young cowboys, Deke Masters and Jared Marks, obviously liquored up and ready to rumble. Oh yeah, he'd had a run-in with them shortly after he'd come to town. Definitely troublemakers. Despite knowing he could handle them, Micah's gut tightened.

He purely hated dealing with mobs. They brought back bad memories.

Someone bumped into him. His hands fisted.

"Hey, sorry, Deputy Danvers," Juan, a young kid who lived with his mother above the town bakery, murmured before running over to his friends.

"Sorry," Micah answered softly, even knowing the kid wouldn't hear him. His face reddened at the slip. He forced himself to relax.

His attention returned to the two cowboys, trying to see what they were up to. The crowd shifted, so Micah saw the men were glaring at a pretty young woman with long black hair and golden skin sitting at one of the craft tables. She smiled as she held up a handful of twigs, demonstrating something to the folks in front of her table.

Micah frowned. Whoever she was, she was a stranger and he didn't like strangers.

Micah ate the same cereal for breakfast every morning. He always bought the same blue and brown shirts. He picked up plain white briefs. He liked everything the same and he liked knowing who was in town.

He closed his eyes, trying to catch her scent. Citrus. She was wearing something like grapefruit.

Micah tilted his head, not sure he liked it. It was…different. Kind of abrasive, but also strong, fresh.

He was excited.

And whoa, what was that?

Survival instinct kicked in, warning him to stay far, far away from the new woman in town. Something about her smelt…forbidden.

Micah was frowning when Mary Watson rejoined him, squeezing his arm as if to ask him what was up. He looked at her and felt vaguely embarrassed, as if he'd been caught.

Keep it low key, asshole, he told himself when his gut clenched again. Don't stand out.

Mary worked as a secretary at the little town hall, so Micah saw her often. They'd become good friends. He liked her straightforward grey eyes and warm smile as well as the long brown hair that fell to her waist.

"Did you find that gelding you were interested in looking at again?" he asked her.

Mary nodded. "Be a good horse for your stable, cowboy," she said, arching an eyebrow at him.

"Huh, don't think so. My barn is almost as much a ruin as the cabin," Micah said. "And my roof leaks. Gotta fix that first."

"He's a beauty, Mike," Mary said, using the nickname she and some of the townspeople now occasionally used. In all the towns where he'd lived, Micah had never had a nickname before and somehow that made White Deer home even if it was dangerously close to the village where he'd grown up…and fled.

Since Mary was an expert horsewoman, Micah took her seriously. "Okay, I better take a look at that gelding again. But if I have to fix up that wreck of a barn in a hurry, you're helpin'."

"Deal!" she said. "Do you mind if I check out some of the tables? I know the craft stuff isn't your thing."

"I was looking at the cutting boards," he said, raising his hands mock defensively. "I'm not a stereotype."

She grimaced. "Nuh-uh. Cutting boards are a manly thing. I don't see you checking out the art quilts or the crochet."

"I don't need a bed spread and I wouldn't know crochet if it bit my ass."

"Maybe I can bite your ass sometime soon," Mary purred.

Micah pulled away automatically, then scolded himself. What was he doing? This date was part of the plan. He wanted to stay in this town. Mary was going to be a part of that.

Sharp green eyes the colour of bottle glass. His gaze was caught by the young stranger sitting at the table. She was looking in his direction, watching him with Mary.

He looked away, flushing.

Oblivious to Micah's uncomfortable moment, Mary smiled and strolled away, hands loose in the pockets of her jeans, completely relaxed and in her element in a way Micah hadn't allowed himself to experience since he was a young boy. He opened his mouth, wanting to call her back and ask her if she knew who the stranger was.

A warning spike prodding his back broke the moment and he turned away from his date to meet those tilted green eyes again. The woman at the craft table was still studying him. When he put his hands on his hips and met her gaze for gaze she did not demurely drop her eyes but continued to look back at him with frank appreciation.

She thought he was hot.

Micah blushed even hotter. A smug smile curled the woman's lips.

"Goddammit," he muttered, telling himself he didn't like her confidence any more than her cologne. Too brash, too bold for such a delicate little thing. Just what did she think she was playing at, looking at him as if she would like him to climb on top of her?

Sweat broke out on Micah's forehead. The unknown woman was like a burr under his saddle. He needed to find out more about her because she should have backed down when he gave her such a challenging look. People found him intimidating at six-one of solid muscle, plus the uniform.

And then there was his wolf. Although most humans couldn't begin to guess what he was, on some level they sensed Micah had something inside, something dangerous he kept on a choke hold. But the woman merely went back to twisting wet twigs into a round shape as if she hadn't deliberately rattled his cage.

He watched a while, but couldn't see what about her had those cowboys riled up. He stalked closer, circling her, the wolf inside drawn to take a closer look.

The woman looked to be in her mid-twenties, about five-five in height and she possessed fragile features which didn't mesh with those brilliant green eyes. She continued to expertly weave branches into her creation, strong brown hands flashing impossibly fast.

Drawn by her obvious talent, Micah stood next to her table watching her entertain a group of kids.

"First you have to make the round, flat bottom of your rustic basket." The young weaver's voice was husky, the voice of a femme fatale who would leave scratch marks on a man's back during sex. Her voice reminded Micah of the heavy kind of wind chimes that rang with deeper, more masculine tones. He liked her voice. Working as a new deputy just arrived in town, he most often caught the late shift, so he got tired of listening to harsh-voiced cowboys who'd had too much to drink.

"And you'd know all about bein' on the bottom, wouldn't you?" a slurred voice taunted.

Micah swung around to look directly into Deke's eyes. "Got a problem, Deke?" Micah hoped that his hard stare would tell the rowdy cowhand he'd have a very bad day if he acted up at a family craft fair.

"No, uh, no problem, Deputy." Deke's hazel eyes dropped, though his face was sullen. He grabbed the arm of his pal and lit out as if he'd stepped in the middle of a brush fire.

What was that about? Micah wondered as he turned back to look at the weaver. Her face had tightened and she didn't meet Micah's quizzical gaze with the boldness she'd displayed previously.

Instead she continued her instructions. "You let your willow dry out and then you soak it again before using it. Best place is a pond somewhere if you have access to one."

"I heard tell of classes in Arizona for underwater basket weaving," a woman said. "Do you do that?"

"Nope." The weaver shook her head. "I need to breathe to weave baskets."

There was laughter as she bent more reeds into her creation, mixing it up with bark and twigs.

The weaver looked at Micah. "Are you going to introduce yourself?"

He blinked. "You're a bold one."

"Why, because you caught my eye?"

"Excuse me?"

She shook her head, but a little bit of colour touched her cheeks. "Never mind, I saw you with that gorgeous woman who works in the city hall. Your date, I guess?"

Micah swallowed. "Yeah."

"Lucky woman."

"I'm Micah Danvers," he said.

"Sasha Anderson."

Micah nodded. "You're new in town."

Sasha's lips quirked. "Just been here a couple of months and I mostly stick to my place. I'm living at the old Morrison homestead. It's my homestead now but folks have told me it'll always be the old Morrison homestead even if a Morrison hasn't lived there since 1887."

Micah grinned. He knew the place from the occasional drive-by. Almost as run-down as his dilapidated cabin, it was pretty remote. That explained why he'd never met Sasha before.

He couldn't walk away, studying her to try to figure out why she exerted a strange pull on his senses. She was slim, possessing none of Mary's curves. Sasha wore a loose T-shirt with paint splatters on it, which he guessed was kind of artistic, jeans and an old blanket wrapped around her shoulders up to her neck, as if she were chilled. The outfit didn't give away much of her figure. And yet when she met his gaze boldly an image flashed of her touching him just as boldly. Touching him sexually.

His neck heated with another blush and Micah tipped his cowboy hat. "Nice to meet you."

Sasha sighed. "Likewise, tall, dark and taken."
Find A Plain, Ordinary Cowboy here .

Ups and downs of 30 plus

I talked about what it's been like so far to write more than 30 books, the ups and downs at Victoria Bliss' blog today. Drop by if you like here .

A Plain, Ordinary Cowboy available for purchase and new cover

A Plain, Ordinary Cowboy is now available for preorder here .



When I first had the idea for Bird Bones/Forbidden Fire, I was inspired by this image. So I was happy with the final cover. This story is slated for the end of Feb.





My latest hero in The Alien in My Kitchen is tattooed. I found these photos as inspiration.

Cliches in romance

I talked about why some cliches are popular on Bianca Sommerland's blog. Take a look if you like here. .

Guest Blog--Perfect Match by Lisabet Sarai

I continue to ask writers I enjoy reading to guest on my blog. Here is a
favorite, the wonderful Lisabet Sarai. If you haven't read her  blog or
stories, treat yourself, and remember to comment for the chance to win
one of her books.

Perfect Match
By Lisabet Sarai
 
A few weeks ago, Jan was a guest at my blog Beyond Romance, talking about how she persisted in writing M/F erotic romance even though “everyone” told her that M/M or ménage would sell better. She started me thinking about my own publication history.
 
Over the dozen years I've been publishing, I've written pretty much every assortment of genders and many different genres. My first three novels, though, and many of my later works, are fundamentally M/F. I say fundamentally because all three novels involve some additional hanky panky, including group scenes and some F/F interaction. Nevertheless, by the end of each book, the heroine has hooked up with a man who is clearly the perfect match for her (even though she might not have realized this earlier in the story).
 
I enjoy challenging myself, writing different gender groupings. Still, I find heterosexual stories come more easily and naturally to me – especially if the characters are allowed to have some fun on the side with other characters of their own or opposite gender! The concept of finding one's soul mate is an essential foundation of the romance genre. Somehow that suggests to me a unification of opposites – yin and yang, dark and light, dominant and submissive... male and female. Of course, characters of the same gender can possess contrasting personal attributes, but with a M/F pair, the opposition is already a given.
 
My new release Hot Spell is an excellent example. I never really had to think about the gender of the characters. I knew the story would be M/F. There just wasn't any alternative. Furthermore, from my first glimmer of inspiration, it was obvious that Sylvie would be confident and sexually aggressive, while Aidan was more shy and restrained (although he has a legitimate reason for his reticence). I didn't plan this, but I liked the reversal of traditional roles when I noticed it. 
 
Despite their differences, the two are mutually attracted from the moment they first set eyes on one another. Since Hot Spell is a paranormal, I wanted to emphasize the magical, almost cosmic nature of their connection. Circumstances seem to stand in the way of their ever consummating their relationship, but of course I (and my readers) know from the first paragraph that they're destined mates.
 
Here's the blurb and a PG excerpt from Hot Spell that I think illustrates my point. (For a much steamier excerpt, go to http://www.lisabetsarai.com/hotspellex.html!)  And by the way - I will be giving away a copy of  your choice of my two November releases (Hot Spell and Wild About That Thing) to one lucky person who leaves a comment during my mini-blog tour this month. For details of my appearances, check out the side bar on my blog.


 
Blurb
 
The flames of passion are more than metaphor.
 
 
 
The city swelters in the grip of an unseasonable heat wave. Sylvie endures her solitary urban existence for the sake of her career, but the prospect of a hot, lonely three day weekend proves unbearable and she flees east to the pine-shrouded mountains. Far more at home in nature than in the city, Sylvie doesn't mind being alone in the wilderness, but she's not the only being haunting the glades and the trails.
 
Aidan is fiercely attracted to the voluptuous beauty he finds sun bathing nude in a high meadow, but he must resist his overwhelming desire for the sake of her safety. The sun-bronzed man with the red-gold hair is cursed with power he knows will destroy her if they give full rein to their passion. Can Sylvie refrain from tempting him? Or will she risk being being literally consumed by love?
 
Hot Spell Excerpt (PG)
 
“Are you hungry?” His voice was steady—pleasant but neutral—belying the riotous signals she picked up from his body. “I’m afraid all I can offer is canned chilli, with some wild greens I picked this morning…”

Yes, I’m hungry, she wanted to scream. Hungry for you! Then shame flooded her, damping down her desire. She had promised him she’d behave, that she’d keep her distance and not tempt him. She wasn’t sure that she subscribed to his conviction that their making love would kill her, but clearly he believed it and suffered for that belief. Reminding him of their mutual attraction would just make him more miserable. For his sake, she had to control her carnal urges, difficult as that might be.

"Sounds good to me. At least as appetising as dinner back at my campsite, freeze-dried beef stew." He rose from his chair and she followed. "Can I help?"

“No, that’s okay. It’ll just take me a few minutes. But come over here first. You’ll like this.” He gestured towards the south-facing windows, the ones near the cots. A gap of about a yard separated the two beds. They stood together in that space, gazing out of the open window.

To the west, at their right, rose the high peaks, jagged and ashen against the orange sky. The sun streamed through gaps between them, loosing shafts of fire into the valley. Far below the fire tower, Crystal Lake was transformed from the sapphire mirror she’d seen earlier in the day to a sheet of beaten gold. The trees surrounding the water were already grey-green shadows, but the lake burned like the caldera of a volcano, brimming with molten lava.

Sylvie caught her breath. It was exquisite—awe-inspiring. Nothing in her city life was this lovely. Nothing had this power to rouse her emotions. A sense of completion, of rightness, settled on her. This was where she belonged. At the same time, her whole body vibrated with a new kind of excitement, similar to sexual arousal but somehow more subtle and refined. 

She was acutely aware of Aidan’s bulk beside her and the strong, male scent of his sweat. He radiated heat—a human furnace. That was part of this bliss, too, inseparable from the miracle of the fiery water. Her need for him was a fierce, sweet ache that brought pleasure even without being consummated.

She didn’t dare move. She didn’t want to break the spell. Then she felt his fingers entwine with hers. She sensed the strength in his grip even as her skin burned from the contact.

Sylvie did not turn to him. It wasn’t necessary. She knew what he was thinking. She understood he wanted her. For now, in this endless moment, that was enough. His guilt eased in her presence. She felt his tension dissipate, bit by bit, as they continued to hold hands.

Neither spoke. Neither made any sort of effort to deepen the touch or turn it into something more explicitly sexual. That would have been redundant. They stood together, perfectly connected, until the sun sank out of sight and the flaming lake was extinguished.
 
*****
 
I want to thank Jan for letting me come and play on her blog. Hot Spell is available now! And don't forget to leave a comment – you might be my lucky winner!
 
BIO: A dozen years ago LISABET SARAI experienced a serendipitous fusion of her love of writing and her fascination with sex. Since then she has published three single author short story collections and six erotic novels, including the BDSM classic Raw Silk. Dozens of her shorter works have been released as ebooks and in print anthologies. She has also edited several acclaimed anthologies and is currently responsible for the altruistic erotica series COMING TOGETHER PRESENTS.
 
Lisabet holds more degrees than anyone needs from prestigious universities who would no doubt be embarrassed by her chosen genre. She loves to travel and currently lives in Southeast Asia with her highly tolerant husband and two cosmopolitan felines. For more information on Lisabet and her writing visit Lisabet Sarai's Fantasy Factory (http://www.lisabetsarai.com) or her blog Beyond Romance (http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com).